Fulham's Progress Or Lack Of It

[White Noise]

http://blogs.soccernet.com/fulham/archives/2011/03/why_arent_we_making_progress.php


Why Aren't We Making Progress?

Posted by Phil Mison 1 hour, 51 minutes ago


For some bizarre reason the latest away loss continues to irritate in a way other inevitable defeats at places like Liverpool, Arsenal and Spurs wash over me. Let's exorcise the demons.

Eighteen trips to Goodison Park since 1959 and eighteen straight defeats. It defies logic. Even more galling, how many of those in Premiership years have only been by the odd goal? A highly debatable penalty decided the issue in 2010, a late on Saha header in 2009 after both Gera and Zamora had struck the woodwork. I'm sick of it. Why? Because I don't happen to rate Everton sides over the past ten years particularly highly. Looking at the bigger picture, it's time to admit our club has a serious complex when it comes to approaching away games.

Paying supporters had plenty of grumbles at numerous away trips under Hodgson where the sum total of our ambition was to come away with a 0-0 draw. With reasonable home form we could afford this luxury of a miserly points haul on the road, but continuing with this philosophy is a recipe for ultimate failure. When the home form dries up as it did first for Coleman, then Sanchez, and pre-Christmas for Hughes, the club is quickly put in trouble.

Forgive me if I've got it wrong, but I'm sure Hughes arrived saying he wanted a more expressive approach from Fulham playing away. Looking back now to last summer, that thrust from midfield and finish by Etuhu at Blackpool, then Dembele's double v Wolves proved very much to be a false dawn. Coming into Christmas the manager was starting to testily dismiss the year plus long wait for an away win, as 'something that was just around the corner.' Hughes said he wasn't concerned by it. Well, the aberration of a misty day at Stoke two days after the West Ham misery apart, when Bairdinho got lucky, we steadfastly remain the 'Men Who Cannot Win' once the team bus motors up the Fulham Palace Road.

One reason for re-opening this wound and returning to Saturday's loss at Everton, is my mailbag over the last few days. Many of you are clearly as frustrated as myself. And for the first time perhaps over the course of this season, cogent doubts have been expressed at Hughes ability to prepare the team, and significant comments made about his selections. Kamara's loan switch to Leicester looks very much a one-way ticket after Dio criticised his place in the pecking order at Fulham. He could be the first Whites player in history to be discarded after scoring a hat-trick on his last full appearance (started at Wigan but subbed off). How about that?

As we've a while to build up to the Blackpool game and regain our optimism, we'll play the formation game. My team for the run in would revert to Roy's 4-5-1 from last season's exhilerating Europa Cup nights. To start building for the future Stockdale gets my vote over Schwarzer - though I don't have issues with either. What unnerves me is the chance of seeing young David poached away to another club with the promise of starting regularly.The back four is Pantsil, Hughes, Hangeland and Salcido (for now, but Briggs must be knocking on the door).
The 5 in midfield are Baird, Sidwell, Gera, Dempsey, Kakuta, with Bobby up top.

You think that too radical? Look at the positives. Clint is far and away our top scorer, now with the accolade of being the first American to register 10 goals in a Premiership campaign. His tally stands comparison with Andy Cole when he gave us one season. When our midfield struggles Clint is over-burdened trying to close down the opposition while still getting forward to offer a threat. The guy's been running through treacle all season for us, and where would we now be had he been sidelined for a few weeks? An extra man in midfield gives Demps the chance to work the keeper much more regularly.

The Zamora and Gera combination is given another chance to shine. For obvious reasons we've seen little of that this season. It wasn't broken, so be a big man Mr. Hughes and restore it. Kakuta is a major star in the making, and we've only got him temporarily. Let's have him on from the start please - you have the obvious options of pace on the flanks from Duff, AJ and Moussa if the full-back has his number. Were Duff to get the nod over Gael from some of you I wouldn't argue strongly on that one.

Bobby leads the line as only he can. At the back end of last season he was the best exponent in the league at playing up top on his own. He'd developed a lovely touch in laying the ball off for others and re-discovered his shooting boots.

There's my side to shake things up. If we are a club looking forward it's time to dispense with Davies (should never have been given another long contract - totally weird), Etuhu and Murphy. The last decision is going to take some guts. Plus he's been awarded another year on his contract. But for the sake of the club it needs to be made. Baird is your ball winner in midfield, Sidwell your man from box to box.

We're not writing off the likes of AJ and Dembele by any means. Currently they seem to be automatic picks under Hughes because the boss has staked his reputation on them coming good. I'm sorrry, but they have to earn the right to play, and for too long now they haven't been doing that in my book.

Anyone care to disagree before I slip my starting eleven under Mark's office door? Oh, a quick PS - I am flattered and grateful for the kind comments tweeted this week re my blog efforts. Thank you guys!

Twitter@fulhamphil

[jarv]

The Gera/Zamora combination will never fly again. Clearly gera is out of favour compared to other options. Davies, Duff and Murphy, despite their age will be around next season. I expect Duff and Murphy will see less time but still important cogs.
Unfortunately Sidwell got injured. Had this not happened I expect 2 or 3 more points would be on the board now.
I don't disagree with baird as part of a 5 man midfield but if 5 are used, definitely need more pace going forward. (which possibly rules out Davies and Duff in future).
Look forward to see what summer brings.

[Chopper]

Ambition is the mother of Administration.

Progress is in the eye of the beholder.

[TonyGilroy]

I think Paul Moody got a hat trick in his last game for us.

The last thing we need after one poorish performance is to make half a dozen changes.

Zamora being fit to start would change everything. Giving a start to Kakuta makes sense but I'd leave it at that.

[BestOfBrede]

Totally agree re Stockdale - Schwarzer.
We cannot let Stockers go and to ensure he stays happy he should replace Schwartz.
I also agree that Baird should be Midfield, I think he has been excellent when used there, not that he hasn't been very useful in defence as well!

[richie17]

I wonder how big a mailbag Phil really has.

[AlFayedsChequebook]

I wonder how big a mailbag Phil really has.

I do question that everytime he asserts that other fans agree, since most people on here hold opposing views to him

[richie17]

Also, how many readers would the ESPN Fulham page get outside of referrals from White Noise?  My guess is "not many", as american Fulham fans have long embraced other outlets to discuss Fulham.  At CCN we get about 500 readers a day, but never do we get emails on a particular issue like "why can't Fulham win away?", "Where's the progress?".   Just doesn't happen.   I suggest an mailbag constructed entirely of artistic license!

[finnster01]

Also, how many readers would the ESPN Fulham page get outside of referrals from White Noise?  My guess is "not many", as american Fulham fans have long embraced other outlets to discuss Fulham.  At CCN we get about 500 readers a day, but never do we get emails on a particular issue like "why can't Fulham win away?", "Where's the progress?".   Just doesn't happen.   I suggest an mailbag constructed entirely of artistic license!

That is why White Noise is so brilliant. You do not have to go look for anything else. He is a life saver, and a morning staple, just like my coffee toast and jam and I honestly wouldn't know what to read without him.  :Sparkyticus:

[King_Crud]

It's Fulham, we're about we're we should be, things could maybe be slightly better with what we have, but we're not doing too badly either. I get sick of these sort of articles

[timmyg]

I suggest an mailbag constructed entirely of artistic license!

And editors.

[Burt]

I think Phil actually shares the same concerns we all do - our away form is poor by any standard, and how to deal with it has been the holy grail of the last two managers, not to mention a rich topic of discussion for all of us.